The Future of Tourism Coalition (FOTC) will open its first global headquarters in Malaga after agreeing a deal with the Balearic island.
The coalition, which comprises of six non-governmental groups (NGOs), was formed during the Covid pandemic in 2020 and has 13 guiding principles, which focus on the wellbeing of destinations and communities.
The headquarters will “enable the coalition to form strong partnerships with businesses, governments, academic institutions and NGOs” and advance “a more sustainable tourism system in Andalusia”.
Jeremy Sampson, the coalition’s chair, said: “This is a hugely exciting and logical next step for the Future of Tourism Coalition.
“Málaga and the Andalusia region will become our hub for innovation, a testbed for new and existing ideas that demonstrate the Coalition’s guiding principles in action.
“Together we will show the benefits of a balanced, collaborative, big picture approach to tourism management, drawing on the considerable expertise across the partnership and building on the significant range of initiatives already in place in Málaga.”
Arturo Bernal, minister for tourism, culture and sport at the autonomous government of Andalusia, added: “At this time, when the industry is immersed in a change of cycle, the fact that Malaga has been chosen as the headquarters for this initiative is great news that ratifies our leadership.”
The full programme of work that will be undertaken in Málaga and Andalucía will be announced early next year.
Learnings will be shared widely through the coalition’s global networks, said the FOTC, which also confirmed plans for a Future of Tourism Summit in Málaga in 2024.